ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a disease that happens when tiny living things called parasites get into your body and make you feel sick.

Normally when you get sick, your body fights off the bad germs and you start to feel better. But when you get babseiosis, the parasites keep making you feel sick over and over again.

People can get babesiosis from the bite of a tick that carries the parasites. Ticks are tiny bugs that can stick to your skin and suck your blood. If a tick has the parasites, they can get into your body and make you sick.

Symptoms of babesiosis can be different for everyone, but some common ones are feeling tired all the time, having a fever, and feeling achy.

Doctors can give medicine to help treat babesiosis, but it can take a long time to get better. It's important to protect yourself from ticks if you go outside, like wearing long sleeves and pants, and using bug spray.